MIKE'S 911 HERITAGE RALLY

Mike Shutty created the "911 Heritage Rally" for the
Shenandoah Region to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 911. The
rally took place on May 22, 2004, starting from the Shell station at
exit 91 off Route 64 just east of Staunton and ending at
Mike's log house near Summerdean. This photo shows some of the cars
parked in Mike's field at the end of the rally. Sherry and I liked
the route so much that we saved the rally directions and retraced it a
year later.
Mike's rally directions include questions (Q) about 911 history. We
have reproduced them along with the answers (A), so you can print this
page and take the trip as a rally (fold back the answer column) or as
a fully guided tour (by looking at the answers).

The Shenandoah Valley is noticeably
cooler and less humid than places east of the Blue Ridge, so this
route is a great escape from the summer heat of Charlottesville or
Richmond. Bring your camera to photograph some of the prettiest
farmland and historic farm houses in Virginia. The trip takes about
1/2 day plus driving time to and from the Staunton area.

1. Starting at the Shell station at Exit 91 off Interstate Route 64,
turn L (left) onto Route 608 and go to the stoplight.

[The correct answer is a), so go
straight at the stoplight and look for the confirmation landmark that
should appear within one mile. Also, the entire route is on paved
roads. If you end up on gravel or dirt, you are lost.]

2. Continue until you see Mule Academy Road (Route 642); go left.

3. At Route 250

Q. The only year for the 2 liter long-wheelbase 911 was
a) 1967 (straight)
b) 1968 (left)
c) 1969 (right)
[Confirmation: Pass Baptist Church on the left.]

5. At the 4-way stop sign, go L on Route 608. Go around the 15 mph turn and
continue on.

6. At the junction of Route 795

Q. The last series using the original 911 bodywork was built between 1984 and
1989 and was generally known as the
a) 911 SC series (straight)
b) 911 Carrera series (left)
c) 911/964 series (right)
[Confirmation: Pass a "school bus stop ahead" yellow sign.]

b)

7. At Barrenridge Road

Q. The first liquid-cooled 911s were designated by what model number?
a) 996 (straight)
b) 993 (left)
c) 964 (right)
[Confirmation: Pass St. James Lutheran Church on L. Go for a while.]

a)

8. At the next stop sign

Q. The first production 911 Turbo was offered in
a) 1974 (straight)
b) 1975 (left)
c) 1976 (right)
[Confirmation: Pass over a bridge; see a stone chimney on R.]

c)

9. Pass the road to Barrenridge; continue until you come to Route 642
(do not go straight).

Q. Fuchs forged alloy wheels first appeared on the 911 in
a) 1967 (left)
b) 1970 (right)
[Confirmation: Pass a cemetery on R.]

Q. The G-50 transmission with its improved synchronizing system was
introduced in what model?
a) 911 Carrera (straight)
b) 964 Carrera (left)
c) 993 Carrera (right)
[Confirmation: Pass house with three front gables and a tall windmill]

a)

12. Pass Criket ... enjoy this road until you get to a stop sign.

Q. The last year of the 2.7 liter engine was
a) 1976 (left)
b) 1977 (right)
[Confirmation: Pass ZZ Machine Corp. on L.]

b)

13. Stay on this road and enjoy this road until you get to a stop sign
by a small grocery.

Q. The first year of the new transmission that located reverse
gear below fifth (the 915 tranny) was
a) 1971 (straight)
b) 1972 (left)
c) 1973 (right)
[Confirmation: Pass a big Red Barn on R.]

b)

14. Pass Round Hill School Road, but take the next L on Dam Town Road.
Enjoy this road; pass Routes 927, 926, and 777. At the stop light

Q. The first year of the 911S was
a) 1967 (left)
b) 1969 (right)
[Confirmation: Pass a Power Station on R.]

a)

21. Take the next R after the power station.

[Confirmation: Pass a "deer crossing" sign next to a small barn on R.]

22. At the next stop sign

Q. The highest-mileage 911's without an engine rebuild tend to be
which model?
a) 911E (straight)
b) 911 Carrera 4 (left)
c) 911 SC (right)
[Confirmation: Look for the Mail Box in the form of a Blue Tractor on R.]

c)

Now for some directions without questions (to give
your Porsche mind a rest)...

24. After a bit, you will come to a stop sign: Go West!! Then turn
towards Swoope at the first possible chance. If you pass a blue house
on L, then you have gone too far.

25. Continue until you get to a stop sign at a T.

Q. The last air-cooled 911 was the
a) 964 Carrera (left)
b) 993 Carrera (right)
[Confirmation: Come to the intersection of Cattleman Road.]

b)

26. Turn onto Cattleman Road.

27. At Trimbles Mill road (Route 707)

Q. The horsepower rating (HP DIN) of the very first 911 was
a) 130 (straight)
b) 160 (left)
[Confirmation: Pass a blue and white barn with Hex symbols on R.]

a)

28. At the T

Q. The lightest (i.e., curb weight) regular production 911 was also
the first 911S.
a) True (left)
b) False (right)
[Confirmation: Pass a small church on R. It is along a side road, so you
can only see the steeple at first.]

b)

29. At the junction of Mish Barn road (that goes to Middlebrook)

Q. The 912 was discontinued in 1969 but returned for one year only.
When was the 912 re-introduced for one year? a) 1976
(straight) b) 1978 (left) [Confirmation: After making your
decision, go one mile and you will see Mike's log house on
your L. This was the end point of the 911
Heritage Rally.]

a)

Sherry and I continued as follows: Continue southwest past Mike's
log house on Summerdean Road (Route 602) to McKinley. Turn left
onto McKinley Road (Route 682) and continue until you reach Route
252. Turn left onto Route 252, which will take you through
Middlebrook. About one mile past Middlebrook, turn right onto
Howardsville Road (Route 701). Route 701 will bring you to Routes
11 and 81 about 10 miles southwest of Staunton, ending this scenic
tour.